Cultivating device



Dec. 16, 1930. B, M. ROLPH 1,784,974

- CULTIVATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 12, 1928 v if k m Arron/v5) Patented Dec. 16, 1930 BENJAMIN M. ROLPH, or nixoivfintmois" GULTIVATING DEVICE v Application filed January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,111.

My invention has reference to cultivating devices, of a type that is more specially designated for use by hand, in a manner similar to hoes, but'it can also be adapted for use with a cultivator or other machine. It is primarily a garden tool, and is intended to be used in sets of two or more blades of different sizes, only one operating handle being used with each set. One of the purposes of the invention is to provide means for attachment of the tool to the handle which will enable one of the tools to be quickly and easily detached and replaced with another one.

Another feature of the invention consists in a novel form of blade, which specially adapts the same to the severing of small roots in the ground, or to the cutting of grass, twigs or other rubbish on the surface of the ground, which rubbish frequently interferes with the blade entering the ground;

The above named, and other features and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 shows the invention in perspective, detached from the handle. 1

Fig 2 is a front perspective thereof, with the handle broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the socket mechanism, looking at one end thereof.

looking at the top thereof.

Similar parts are indicated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the several figures.

The reference number 1 indicates a blade of a modified hoe formation, and possessing a slight curvature, as shown. Said blade is extended upwardly into cooperating socket members 3 and 4, produced by splitting the upper part of the plate from which the blade is formed, as shown, at 2, and bending portions of the plate rearwardly and toward tightly by turning the lever each other. The member 4 is extended into a plate 5, provided with a slot Gto receive a tongue 7 formed integrally with the part 3, and at a right angle with the plate 5. Pivoted to the end of the tongue 7, as at a, is a small lever bers 9 bearing against the face of the plate 5.

Fixed between the socket members 3 and 4a is the end'of a handle 10, the parts of the socket being caused to embrace the handle 8 downwardly toward the handle. The cam ends of the wards each other, clamping the handle rigidly between the same. The socket members are preferably formed of resilient metal, with a tendency. to spring away from each other, and upon the'lever 8 being turned outwardly theend of the handle 10 is instantly re leased, permitting the removal thereof. The 6 handle can be as quickly inserted in the socket of another similar tool and the handle engaged by the parts of the socket. The blade 1 and socket parts thereof can be readi ly produced from a single piece of metal,

8, provided with cam memlever operate to draw the socket members toand the lever 8 is preferably formed of sheet metal, portions of the blank being bent towards each other to form a pair of the cam ends 9. When the lever 8 is turned inwardly the cam ends thereof will pass beyond a transverse line through the pivot a, and pre- Fig. 4 is a detail of the socket mechanism, Vent the accldental release of the lever In the lower end of-the blade 1 is an angular recess 11, forming a pair of cutting edges at 12 and 13. In cutting downwardly into the ground small obstacles are frequently encountered on the surface, which prevent the tool from operating properly, but such obstacles will be easily sheared by the angular cutters '12 and 13, and the tool enter the ground without obstruction. If desired, the end of the blade 1 can be provided with a straight edge, as indicated in broken lines at 14 in Fig. 1.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is;

In a fastening device for a cultivating tool,

the combination with a pair of connected tool supporting plates in parallel relation with each other, of a pairc of semi-circular socket members projected from said plates, one of said members having a transverse slot, and the other member being provided with an angular tongue passing through said slot, and a cam lever attached to the end of said tongue and bearing against the slotted memher.

In testimony whereof I afi ix my signature.

BENJAMIN M. ROLPH. 

